the darkness the low barking of the dog could be heard,
for Dirk had indeed got on the scent, and, with the wondrous faculty of
his kind, he was trotting steadily on over the grass and heather, nose
down, tail high, and not for a moment halting in his quest.

Hour after hour the hunt went on, no little exertion being needed to
keep within hearing of the dog, who followed Max's trail right on and
on--a devious, wandering trail, right along to the narrow gully where
the dark loch lay. After coming to a halt several times, where Max had
waded into patches of bog, and also where he had stepped over the
precipitous place and fallen a few feet, to slide and scramble down some
distance farther, Dirk picked up the trail again, and trotted on.

These halts gave those who followed time to catch up, and there were so
many faults along the edge of the dark, narrow loch, that Kenneth and
Tavish were together and pretty close behind.

"Think o' ta laddie finding his way doon here," said the forester.

"You don't think he can have slipped in anywhere?" whispered Kenneth.
"It's a nasty place, even by day."

"Oh ay, laddie, and ta fush are sma' and hard to get. She'd get richt
alang, though. Noo, which way wad she gang--up by ta waterfa', or awa'
through ta wee bit burnie?"

"I don't know, Tavvy," panted Kenneth; "but we ought to be near him
now."

"Nay; she'll be a lang gate yet, my bairn. Air ye there, sir?"

"Yes; go on," came from behind; and the rough tramp was continued, till
the forester cried,--

"She's gaed up ta burnie."

"Why, Tavvy, there's a light there! What light's that?"

"Licht?" said Tavish innocently. "Hey, there's a licht!"

"What can it be?"

"Only a shepherd's bothy."

"There is no shepherd's bothy up here on the Clandougal estate, Tavvy."

"Maybe it's some Southron laird had a cot made for him to fush ta loch."

"Nonsense, Tavvy! and if it was so, no one would be having a big fire
there at this time of night."

"Whush, laddie!"

"But--I know! Why, Tavvy, it's a still!"

"Whush! Here, lat's ca' back ta tog."

"Nonsense! He has gone right on. Hurray! we've found him. Max is sure
to be up there by the fire."

"Ta laddies wadna lat her stop," muttered Tavish; "put we'll pe hafin'
trouble wi' 'em. Hearken to ta tog!"

"Why, Ken, look," came from behind, as the dog's barking went echoing
along the narrow little glen; "that must be a still. Eh, Tavish?"

"Aw'm thinking maybe it